2:00PM
Virginia Beach, VA
MINUTES
Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Services Council
Virginia Beach
August 1, 2024
Council Members Present
Officers:
Anton A. Bell (Hampton), Chairman
Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria), First Vice Chairman
R. Bryan Haskins (Pittsylvania County), Secretary
Council District Representatives:
1. Krystyn L. Reid (York County)
2. Matthew R. Hamel (Chesapeake)
4. Colette Wallace McEachin (Richmond City)
5. Bethany A. S. Harrison (Lynchburg)
7. Elizabeth K. Humphries (Fredericksburg)
8. Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria)
9. Robert M. Lilly (Giles County)
11. Steve Descano (Fairfax County)
Other Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Present
Donald S. Caldwell (Roanoke City)
Jeff Haislip (Fluvanna County)
Colin D. Stolle (Virginia Beach)
Meredith D. Adkins (King & Queen County)
Georgette C. Phillips (Isle of Wight)
Ramin Fatehi (Norfolk)
Derek A. Davis (Surry County)
Regina T. Sykes (Sussex County)
Heather D. Hovermale (Winchester)
Clarissa T. Berry (Madison County)
Eric L. Olsen (Stafford County)
Christian E. Rehak (Radford)
Michael D. Jones (Wythe County)
Amy K. Ashworth (Prince William County)
Scott C. Hook (Fauquier County)
Andy Hall (Martinsville)
Phillip Nichols (Greensville/Emporia)
Gray Collins (Colonial Heights)
Ann Gardner (Alleghany County)
Erin Barr (Chesterfield County)
Chris Robison (Westmoreland County)
Justin Griffith (Pulaski County)
Lyle Carver (Amherst County)
Michael Hurd (Middlesex County)
Tracey Martin (Halifax County)
Daniel Rutherford (Nelson County)
Tiffany Buckner (Petersburg)
Susan Fierro (Prince George County)
Amanda Mann (Dinwiddie County)
Rick Newman (Hopewell)
Russ Rabb (Culpeper County)
Andrew Nester (Henry County)
Dayna Bobbitt (Patrick County)
Nate Green (Williamsburg/James City County)
Ryan Mehaffey (Spotsylvania County)
Paul McAndrews (Campbell County)
Les Fleet (Appomattox County)
Leanne Watrous (Nottoway County)
Mackenzie Babichenko (Hanover County)
Guests
Robyn De Socio (Compensation Board)
Special Agent Chris Harris (OSIG)
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorneys Present
Lori DiGiosia (Stafford County)
Blair Trent (Prince Edward County)
CASC Staff Present
Jane Sherman Chambers
Tracey DeBord
Elliott Casey
Nancy Oglesby
VACA Staff Present
Amanda Howie, Administrator
Call to Order
Mr. Bell called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.
Minutes
The draft minutes from the June 26, 2024, meeting were previously posted and circulated to Council. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Chairman’s Report
None.
Administrator’s Report
Ms. Chambers introduced CASC’s new parttime Program Specialists, Lida Kharooti Sayeed and Alicia Lamm. She then reviewed the agenda items:
Old Business
CATF Update
Ms. Chambers reviewed the CATF balance sheet reflecting account activity through June 30, 2024.
Spring Institute Reimbursements – Random Audit Report ~ Tracey DeBord
Ms. DeBord circulated the list of 10 offices that were randomly selected to undergo audits of their 2024 Spring Institute reimbursements. She reported that 9 of the offices have promptly and successfully completed their audits and that only Dickenson County has not yet complied with CASC’s request for documentation. Ms. Chambers will provide an update at the next meeting.
2024 Annual Summer Conference Update
Ms. Chambers reported that 340 prosecutors had registered to attend the summer conference, along with 146 guests. While 234 attendees requested written materials in a binder, 106 requested them in Box. Ms. Chambers noted that CASC is about the only CLE provider that still provides written binders of materials. She encouraged people to chose Box in the future. Ms. Chambers reported that the training agenda provides 11.5 hours of live CLE, plus an additional 4.5 hours of video replay from the 2024 Spring Institute. Finally, Ms. Chambers highlighted that the agenda in the printed materials has been changed to reflect an 8:30 AM start on Saturday to accommodate a more detailed DFS presentation about the recent case of Smith v. Arizona and its implications.
CASC Faculty & Presenter Qualifications Update ~ Bryan Porter
Ms. Chambers reminded attendees that at the May 8, 2024, Council meeting, Mr. Porter had been tasked with preparing a draft directive addressing the removal of CASC training program faculty. Mr. Porter reported that he prepared a simple document that provides that Council prioritize filling faculty positions with active CA’s and assistants. If a faculty member retires or resigns, they should be replaced with a current prosecutor within 3 years whenever possible. However, if a retired/resigned faculty person possesses unusual experience, insight or acumen, CASC employees may retain them on faculty if doing so will enhance the quality of the instruction. A motion was made to accept Mr. Porter’s proposal. Discussion ensued that resulted in Ms. Humphries proposing a friendly amendment to add CASC staff attorneys as priority faculty persons, along with active CA’s and assistants. The friendly amendment was accepted by Mr. Porter and the motion was seconded and was passed by Council members, with one nay vote from Mr. Descano.
New Business
CASC 3-Year Audit by Auditory of Public Accounts (APA) ~ Tracey DeBord
Ms. DeBord reported that CASC has recently undergone a regular 3-year audit by the APA. The auditors discussed their findings with her and Ms. Chambers. She has appealed one item. A final report has not been completed but will be forwarded to Council members when it becomes available.
CASC FY25 Budget Approval ~ Jeff Haislip
A copy of CASC’s proposed FY25 budget was circulated to attendees with the meeting agenda. Mr. Haislip, chairman of the CASC Finance Committee, briefly reviewed the agenda and the process by which it is developed. A motion to approve the proposed budget was made, seconded and unanimously passed.
Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG) ~ Special Agent Chris Harris
Ms. Chambers reported that Special Agent Harris had emailed her several months ago requesting the opportunity to share with commonwealth’s attorneys information about what his office does and how OSIG can assist them with their cases. Special Agent Harris reviewed a PowerPoint presentation that provided details on OSIG services that can assist CA’s. Copies of the PowerPoint slides were provided with the meeting agenda.
Adjournment
There being no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is September 25, 2024, 12:00 noon, at the CASC offices at Truist Place, 919 E. Main Street, Richmond.